Kickstart vacancies across the borough as scheme to get young people back into work is extended

More young people aged 16-24 and on Universal Credit will be able to benefit from the Kickstart Scheme, which is being extended to March 2022.

There are currently over 100 available Kickstart vacancies across the Rochdale borough ranging from roles such as admin, beauty, animal care, retail and sales, media, construction and many more.

Rochdale Healthcare Alliance Limited is offering numerous Kickstart placements for roles such as general practice administrator, pharmacy dispenser, primary care administrator, dental receptionist and care home administrator.

The employer will offer interviews on the following dates: 19/10/2021 at the Middleton Jobcentre, and again on 20/10/2021 at the Rochdale and Heywood Jobcentres. Any interested customers eligible for the Kickstart Scheme are encouraged to contact their Work Coach or visit the website.

Additionally, anyone aged 16-24 and claiming Universal Credit can now find their own six months’ paid Kickstart placement via the government’s Find A Job portal.

The government scheme to help young people into work will be open to applications from employers and gateways until 17 December 2021.

More information for employers is available here.

Sector-based Work Academy Programmes

A sector-based work academy programme (SWAPs) is an opportunity to learn new skills and get experience of working in a particular industry, for example care, construction or warehouse work.

The programme is designed to help jobseekers, who are claiming either Universal Credit, Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), to build confidence, improve job prospects and enhance CVs.

SWAPs last up to six weeks, and consist of three parts:

• pre-employment training – a short module of vocational training run by a local college or training provider,
• work experience with an employer in the industry, where you can learn new skills on the job,
• at the end of the programme, either a job interview with an employer in the sector or if an interview cannot be offered, help with the application process.

Participants will continue to receive benefits whilst taking part in a SWAP, and if you need to travel to the employer’s place of work or to where the training is held, you may be able to receive help covering the cost of public transport or appropriate childcare.

The programme is designed to help improve job prospects, help employers fill jobs, as each SWAP is linked to one or more genuine job vacancy. While you’re not guaranteed to get a job from completing a SWAP, it does help you to improve your chances of gaining employment in that sector.

Argos and Footasylum are recruiting for warehouse operatives in Heywood and Middleton. Lineage Logistics are offering a guaranteed job interview to all that complete their pre-employment training with Mantra based in Middleton.

You can find out more information, including eligibility and requirements on the gov.uk website.